           As we come to chapter 9 of Joshua, we find ourselves in the very midst of Israel taking the land that God had given to them. In chapter 6, we saw very clearly that God was going to fight for the people and give them the land – and He did so by giving Jericho into the hand of Israel. In chapter 7, we saw the effects of sin upon Israel as Achan disobeyed God and brought on the wrath of God and the defeat at Ai. But in chapter 8, we saw the grace of God in using Israel to defeat Ai – after they had purged the sin from their midst. Throughout these chapters detailing the conquest of the land, the common theme has been Israel’s incredible need for God to give them the land. If God is fighting for them, they are invincible, but if God is not with them, they are incapable of taking even the smallest city.

            As we come to our text today – Joshua 9:1-10:28 – we will see that this theme of Israel’s dependence on God comes to the forefront once again. The circumstances, as we will see, are different, but the central idea is the same – Israel is weak and dependent upon God for success. As we look at our text, we will come to see that the same is true of us – we are weak and totally dependent upon God. This fact did not render Israel useless or give them excuse to sin (just as our own weakness does not render us useless or give us excuse to sin), but it did cause them (or was least meant to cause them) to realize their utter need for God in everything they did. Likewise, as we read this history of Israel today, we should be reminded of our own need for God in every part of life.

            More specifically, as we look at this story involving the deception of Israel by the Gibeonites and the ensuing consequences of that deceit, we see – very explicitly – Israel’s need for God’s wisdom as well as God’s power. As we look at the text, these seem to be the two pillars of need held up in the text – and both areas of need find their source of help in God himself.

The need for God's wisdom (9:1-27)

The necessity of God’s wisdom (9:1-15)

            Our text, after recounting the gathering of the Canaanite kings for the purpose of fighting against Israel, really begins by describing for us the deception of Israel by the Gibeonites. In a move which Scripture itself calls “cunning” (9:4), the Gibeonites – though they live relatively close to Israel’s camp – disguise themselves so as to give the appearance of having made a long journey. They wear worn-out clothes, carry worn-out sacks and wineskins and gather some dry and crumbly food. They approach Joshua at Gilgal, and – by their cunning – convince Joshua and the leaders of Israel that they are indeed from a far-away country. Having been deceived, Joshua and the leaders make a covenant with the Gibeonites that they will spare their lives (9:3-15).

            At first glance, such a covenant may not seem like a big deal, but in the context of God’s past instruction, we see the terrible nature of this mistake by Israel. In Exodus 23:32, God – speaking to Moses about the inhabitants of the Promised Land – says, “You shall make covenant with them and their gods.” Likewise, in Exodus 34:12, God says, “Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst.” And, in Deuteronomy 7:2, Moses tells the people, “You shall make no covenant with them [the people God is driving out before Israel] and show no mercy to them.” God was explicit about the fact that Israel was not to make a covenant with these people – they were to destroy them.

            In that context, the nature of Israel’s sin becomes obvious – or at least it seems obvious. It would be easy to read this text and just assume that Israel disobeyed by making a covenant with these people. But there is more to this story. As we read the account in our text, we see that Joshua and the leaders were very suspicious and asked many of the right questions. They wanted to obey God, and they did not want to make a covenant with a people who were supposed to be destroyed. As we read the story, we come to realize that Israel did not intentionally transgress God’s command – they labored to make sure that the covenant they were making was valid and honoring to the Lord. They understood what God had commanded, and they were laboring to carry it out.

            In that context, we come to a clearer understanding of Israel’s sin – it was not primarily the fact that they made a covenant with people from Canaan (thought that was part of the error) but that they “did not ask counsel from the Lord” (9:14b). The central issue in this story was that Israel failed to obtain the wisdom of God on this particular issue. As one commentator writes, “It wasn’t that they didn’t think but that they didn’t pray.”1 Israel labored to the best of their physical, natural ability to honor the Lord, and that ability was not enough – they were still deceived. They failed to recognize the need for God’s wisdom in this matter.

            As we consider this reality, it should be convicting to us to realize that our need is the same as that of Israel – we need the wisdom of God. Though it is right for us to seek to use the natural abilities that God has given us (powers of thought, logic, reason, etc.), they are not sufficient in themselves. We, by nature of being human beings, are not omniscient, and we cannot have the exhaustive knowledge necessary to always make right choices. Thankfully, we do have an omniscient God who does have such exhaustive knowledge – and, in Christ, we have access to His wisdom. James 1:5 is very clear: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” So, in any number of situations that might resemble the situation described in Joshua 9 (entering a relationship, getting married, having kids, taking a job, choosing a school, deciding how to spend money), we must remember that our own powers of thinking and reasoning are not enough. We need the wisdom that comes from above – and if we ask not, we will have not (James 4:2). Just like Israel, we must remember our need for the wisdom of God.

            But just understanding the need for wisdom is not enough, we must understand the source from which such wisdom comes: the word of God and prayer. I am convinced that my own ignorance of God’s will in many situations stems from my own ignorance of the Scriptures. If we truly believe that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work,” (2 Tim. 3:16-17) then we will immerse ourselves in it so that we might be competent. It is ludicrous for us to complain that we do not know God’s will or understand His desires when we are not renewing our minds to His truth. Alongside the need to study the Scriptures diligently is the need to pray fervently. Just as we are too often ignorant of the Scriptures, we also too often fail to take advantage of the privilege of prayer. We fail to take seriously Jesus’ statement, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matt. 21:22). Once again, the wisdom of God is available – through the finished work of Christ – and if we have not, it is because we ask not.

What if God’s wisdom has been neglected? (9:16-27)

            But, if you are anything like me, you can easily bring to mind a time when you – like Israel – failed to seek the wisdom of God in a particular case. No doubt, you know the frustration that comes with the realization that an unwise choice has been made. Perhaps it was a choice to enter into a marriage without sufficient wisdom regarding whether this person should be your spouse. Or perhaps it was a lack of wisdom with regard to finances that resulted in crushing credit card debt. Or it could have been a decision to go to a school or take a job or make a move that was made without seeking God’s wisdom, and the result has been terrible. How do we act in those situations? Thankfully, our text in Joshua 9 explicitly addresses such a reality.

            Having failed to seek the wisdom of God, Israel comes to realize that they have been deceived. They travel to the Gibeonite cities and realize their mistake. We should notice their response – they upheld the word that they had sworn to the Gibeonites, even though the people grumbled against the leaders failure. They upheld their oath and made the Gibeonites servants among them rather than killing them (9:16-21). Instead of declaring that the terms of covenant were reached under false premises and are no longer binding, Israel demonstrates their concern for the glory of the Lord by whom they have sworn. They illustrate the fact that the way we deal with mistakes stemming from our own failure to seek God’s wisdom is that we live as faithfully as we can in the midst of the consequences. The fact that Israel failed to seek God’s wisdom did not free them from the obligation to uphold the covenant they made with Gibeon. Likewise, our failure to seek God’s wisdom does not free us from the obligation of remaining faithful in the midst of trying circumstances. A failure to seek God’s wisdom in a relationship does not mean we are free to divorce our spouse. A failure to be wise in spending money does not mean we are free to ignore our debts. A failure to seek wisdom in taking a job or making a decision does not free us from the commitments made in that decision. Our responsibility, once the mistake is realized, is to honor the Lord and live as faithfully as we can in the midst of consequences.

            Hearing this reality – that we are not freed from consequences and responsibilities after realizing we have neglected God’s wisdom – could seem cold and harsh were it not for the reality that God uses even our sins and mistakes for our good and to accomplish His will. Even as we read the close of chapter 9 and see that the Gibeonites are cursed and the Israelites are forced to live with these people as a constant reminder of their mistake, we also see that God brings good out of this situation for everyone involved (9:22-27). In regards to Israel, we see that God does not abandon them because of their sin – they are still His people and they are still part of His plan. In regards to the Gibeonites, God – even through the cursing of their behavior – does bless them by bringing them into the people of God. Instead of being slaughtered, they are saved (9:26). And in regards to God’s plan, as we are about to see in chapter 10, God uses this covenant to bring about the collapse of the major kings of southern Canaan. It is because of their covenant with Gibeon that they are forced to go and fight, and the result of this fight is the carrying out of God’s plan to give this land to His people.

The need for God’s power (10:1-43)

The might of God on behalf of His people (10:1-15)

As we move to chapter 10, we are confronted with another story that demonstrates the neediness of the people of Israel - only this time the need is different. The first five verses of this chapter lay out the gathering of the mighty kings of the south against Gibeon because of her treaty with the Israelites. Upon hearing that mighty Gibeon has joined forces with Israel, the king of Jerusalem decided his best option was to fight, and text tells us, \"Then the five kings of the Amorites...gathered teir forces and went up with all their armies and encamped against Gibeon and made war against it\" (10:5). In response to this, Gibeon sends to Israel for help, and Joshua responds. The rest of the chapter provides the details of this battle: Joshua sprung a surprise attack on the enemy, God threw them into a panic - killing many of them himself by raining hailstones down on them, Israel pursued the fleeing enemy and slaughtered them, and Joshua executed the enemy kings to seal the victory (10:6-28).

Upon first glance, the details of this story are so thrilling that it could be easy for us to miss its main point, but this story is meant to illustrate to us another need of Israel - the need for God's power. We saw in Israel's being deceived by the Gibeonites the need for God's wisdom, and we see in this glorious Israelite victory over her enemies the need for God's power to work on behalf of His people. If we look back through the story, it is impossible to miss the author's focus on the work of God in winning this battle. First, God tells Joshua, \"Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you\" (10:8). Then, the text makes clear \"the Lord threw them into a panic before Israel,\" (10:10) and \"the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died\" (10:11). Then, in an incredible miracle, the text tells us that Joshua spoked to the Lord and the Lord prolonged the day so that Israel could take vengenance on the enemy. The author sums up this miracle by declaring, \"There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord obeyed the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel\" (10:14). Once again, we see that the deciding factor in this battle - the thing that gave Israel victory - was the fact that the Lord fought on their behalf. He exerted His strength on their behalf, and the victory was theirs. The point is clear: the thing that gave Israel victory was God's power. Though it was necessary for them to obey and do what they were commanded, they needed the power of God to be exerted on their behalf to achieve victory.

As we step back and think about this reality, it is easy for us to recognize that our need is, once again, exactly the same. It is not enough to have the wisdom of God given so that we can work things out on our own. We do need the wisdom of God, but we also need the power of God to be exercised on our behalf.  The Scriptures are very clear about the incredible power that God possesses. In Job, we read of the greatness of our God as God himself declares, \"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding....Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place...Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail...Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?...Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord?\" (Job 38:4,12,22,31;41:1). In these verses God is making clear the power he possesses. Likewise, in Isaiah 44:6-8, we read, \"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; bsides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.\" Here again, God makes clear that there is no one like Him in His greatness and power. Likewise, the Scriptures make clear the weakness of man. Psalm 103:15-16 says, \"As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and itsplace konws it no more.\" Likewise, Isaiah 40:6b-7 says, \"All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass.\" Scripture makes very clear that God is powerful, we are weak, and we need His power in our lives if we are to have any hope.

The implications of this reality are manifold. First, we should pray as often as we can - seeking the Lord's power on our behalf for everything we do. Whether we realize it or not, we are only as useful as the Lord's power enables us to be. That is why Paul declares, \"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us\" (2 Cor. 4:7). Paul even went so far as to say that he boasted in his weaknesses because when he was weak, that was when he was strong because God's power would rest on him: \"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Chrfist may rest upon me\" (2 Cor. 12:9). So, if we desire someone to be saved, we should pray because only God is powerful to change their heart. If we desire healing, we should pray because God is powerful to heal. If we desire provision, we should pray because God is powerful to meet our needs. If we are struggling with sin and temptation, we should pray because God is powerful to help us in our time of need. We need the power of God in our lives constantly, so we should pray fervently and constantly for that power to rest upon us.

Some, hearing these things, may begin to wonder if God desires to help you. You may think that your sinfulness or unfaithfulness or weakness disqualifies you from God's power being displayed in your life. Such a thought is incompatible with a proper doctrine of our fellowship with God through Christ. Paul told the Ephesians that he prayed to God that they might know \"the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe\" (Eph. 1:19). He goes on to say that the incredible power of God has already been displayed in the fact that God has raised us from the dead with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly places so that in the future God might demonstrate His incredible grace to us in Christ. If we are in Christ, God is for us, and nothing can separate us from Him. God is mighty, and He acts on behalf of His people. If we are in Christ, we are part of His people, and we can trust His mighty power to be exerted on our behalf. God is powerful, and we need His power.

God's past demonstrations of power give assurance of future victory (10:16-28)

The final section of our text - which we have already mentioned - details Joshua's execution of the five Canaanite kings who led the enemy army. It is brought to Joshua's attention that they are hiding in a cave in the mountains, and Joshua has them shut up in the cave so they cannot escape (10:16-18). After destroying the remainder of the enemy army, Joshua returns to the cave and has the enemy kings brought out before him. In an extremely symbolic gesture, Joshua has the enemy kings lay on the ground so that the Israelite commanders can place their feet on the necks of the captured kings. Joshua explains the significance of the gesture in 10:25 as he says, \"Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lordwill do to all your enemies against whom you fight.\" Having said this, Joshua has the kings hanged, leaves their bodies hanging until evening and then throws the bodies into the cave in which they had hid. The victory is final and complete.

As we think about the significance of this event and the reason it is highlighted, it becomes clear that the ceremonial execution of these kings was meant to inspire the people of Israel with hope. They had seen the incredible power of God exercised on their behalf, and this event was meant to provide them with hope and assurance that the power of God would be with them in the future. Notice, even in Joshua's words in 10:25 that he uses this present event to direct their thoughts to the future. The destruction of these kings is meant as assurance that God will grant destruction over the kings yet to be conquered. Though the battles have not been fought and won, God was giving His people assurance that His power would be sufficient in the future and that it would be present on their behalf. This is a picture of hope.

And just it was meant to provide confidence for the people of Israel, it does the same for us today. We can very easily look back and see the way God's power has been exerted on our behalf by looking to the cross. The same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead has raised us from being dead in our trespasses and sins. But we should also be careful to remember that the power of God will be there in the future. We need not be anxious because our God who has been the same forever in eternity past will be the same in eternity future. The same Jesus who was raised from the dead to give us life will one day return and Paul's words will become reality: \"Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised impersihable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts in immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ\" (1 Cor. 15:51-56). We have seen God's power in the past, and we can be confident in the presence of God's power in the future.

Conclusion

As we come to the table, we come as those who have seen our need for the wisdom of God and the power of God. For those of us who are Christians, the most glorious display of both of these things - as we read earlier from 1 Corinthians 1 - is the message and work of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The message of the gospel is the wisdom and power of God. As we come to the table, we remember the ultimate display of God's wisdom and power, and we have assurance that our God will never fail us or forsake us. We have seen wisdom and power, and we can be confident of their presence in the future.

For those who are not believers, you need to heed the warning implicit in Joshua 9-10 - enemies of God who do not submit to Him will be destroyed. If you reject Him, there is no hope for you. But if you repent of your sins and trust in Jesus Christ - believing that He was raised from the dead and submitting to Him as Lord - you will be saved. Repent and believe. Amen.

OUR NEED AND GOD's ABILITY

Listen to Audio